**Siesta Celebration is January 20-21, 2012**
Hey, Sweet Things!
Finally, August 1st! I’m always so glad to see it come so that it can GO. But it’s not just the end of a long, hot summer for everybody. It’s also the last couple of weeks of summer vacation. Those of you with school-age children will soon find yourself back in carpool lines and going over spelling words. In just a couple of weeks, Jackson will start kindergarten and will catch our whole family by surprise even though we’ve known it was coming for five and a half years. We just cannot fathom it. We have a picture framed in our bedroom that I see everyday with Keith and I cuddling him between us when he was just a few hours old, and we brand-spanking-new grandparents are kissing over his head. Something was reborn in that couple of 25+ years that day. Our interests have always tended to be different and were getting increasingly so, but, that cold February afternoon in Dallas, Texas, we somersaulted right back into one another and tumbled into a well of love with a seven pound man-child.
Keith and I got to have Jackson and Annabeth Friday night while Curtis and Amanda went to dinner and a movie. They’d been gone for 10 days to Wyoming and, even though we’d seen them at a Mexican food restaurant the day they got home, we’d not had them to ourselves yet. We made a date right away. They delight us to no end and cause us to laugh until our sides split. Don’t get the idea there’s no work involved but investments don’t get better than this one. We have real, live conversation over dinner these days and, when you’re grandparents, not a single word gets wasted on you. All of it’s solid gold. Jackson told us at the dinner table Friday night while stuffing a piece of warm French bread into his mouth that butter is his “temptutation.” And, sure enough, it was dripping off of his chin and looked so good that we all shared that same temptutation and gave right on in to it.
We have an empty room in our house right now because we wanted Melissa and Colin to have her bedroom furniture and it’s turned into the perfect playroom. Nothing like an empty room to fire up the imagination. Jackson and I built an obstacle course Friday night that ended with a dizzying spin in my swiveling desk chair. It was so much fun. Amanda and Curtis walked through the door at 10:15 and we were all four still up in the kitchen, Paw Paw popping popcorn on the stove. It’s so good to have the Jones’s home. Melissa and Colin have been out of town for a week, too, and I can hardly wait to get my hands on them. They’re flying home from California this very moment. Most of the time they were out of cell phone range so we’ll have plenty to catch up on.
On to the business at hand! Our year is flying by! It’s time to check in with our fifteenth verses for our Siesta Scripture Memory Team. For some reason I’ve seen the word “gentleness” turn up a number of times in my Scripture reading lately so I’ve decided to choose a memory verse that makes especially important use of it. Here goes:
Beth, Houston. “Brothers and sisters, if a person is discovered in some sin, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too.” Galatians 6:1 The NET Bible
Restoration is one of the most powerful, intentional works of the Cross of Christ. Let’s never refuse anyone his or her right to be restored. Here’s to a little gentleness in a harsh world. Everyone could use some.
Stay in the Word, Siestas! You are so loved here!
“One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving.”
Psalm 62:11 NIV
Abbie – Franklin,TN
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere.”
James 3:17 (NLT)
Abi, Apopka: “LORD, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments.” Nehemiah 1:5 NIV
Kelly, Huntsville
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of scipture came about by the prophets own interpretation.
II Peter 1:20 (NIV)
Sharon – Glennville, GA
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
establish the work of our hands for us —
yes, establish the work of our hands.
Psalm 34:5
Marla, Columbus OH
Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
James 2:5, ESV
Paula – Arvada
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good…..
Genesis 50:20a NIV
Melodie, Orlando
MSG, Philippians 4:4-5
Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!
Late entry, Christine Lissoy, Irvine CA: “Indeed the protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep.” Psalm 121:4 (NIV)
Jessica, Toronto
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”
2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)
Colleen – O’Fallon, IL
I will instruct you in the way you should go; I will guide you with my eye.
Psalm 32:8 (NKJV)
Proverbs 22:1
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.
Marcia, Vancouver, WA
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
Lamentations 3:25
NIV
Susan
OKC
Tonya, Searcy, AR
Hosea 6:6 (NCV)
“I want faithful love more than I want animal sacrifices. I want people to know me more than I want burnt offerings.”
Stephanie, Lititz, PA ““Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”” Jeremiah 23:29 NIV
Barbara, Arcadia, CA
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
“For the Lord will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught.”
Proverbs 3:26
NIV
Sam v.
Woodstock, VT
Sara Springfield Mo
Ephesians 5:22 KJV
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and the two shall become one flesh. This is a profound mystery-but I am talking about Christ and the church” Ephesians 5:31-32 (NIV)
Janell Urban Clovis, NM
Angela, Maui. “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable ~ if anything is excellent or praiseworthy ~ think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
RaeLeen – Greenwood,IN
I will instruct you in the way you should go;I will guide you with my eye.
PS 32:8 (NKJV)
Pam, DeLeon Springs, Florida
“Brothers and sisters, if a person is discovered in some sin, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too.”
Galatians 6:1 The NET Bible
Alexis R
Atlanta, Ga
Ephesians 3:12 (NLT)
Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come fearlessly into God’s presence, assured of his glad welcome.
Lisa Corbin,Ky Psalm 16:11 ESV
You make known to me the path of life
In Your presence there is fullness of joy.
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
King George, VA
Philippians 2:14 NIV
Do everything without complaining or arguing
Karin from Brandon, MS
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10, ESV
Kathy, Austin
“If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me and for the gospel will save it.” Mark 8:34b-35
Dawn – Menomonee Falls, WI
Matthew 10:16 NIV
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
Beth Lititz, PA
Ephesians 3:12 (NLT)
Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come fearlessly into God’s presence, assured of his glad welcome.
Karen, Dallas, TX:
Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
Colossians 2:18-19, NIV (1984)
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
Jodi Zagreb
Diann, Woodburn, IN
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:9-10 (NIV)
Susan B. – Chapin, SC
Psalm 62:8 ESV
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.
Kathryn – Atmore, AL – “Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder.” Romans 12:12 (The Message)
Lisa, Simsboro, LA
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15
Melissa, Waco 1Timothy4:12, NIV “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”
Joyce
Dalton, GA
Pray without ceasing. I Thess. 5:17 NKJV
Katie Enlow-Paducah, KY 2 Timothy 2:21 (NLT)
If you keep yourself pure, you will be a utensil God can use for his purpose. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.
Deanna, Maytown AL
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 ESV
Phil. 4:13
“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”
Becky – Tacoma, WA Galatians 5:22 NIV “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
DLynn; Amarillo
1 John 3:2-3 (NIV)
2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
3 Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Ephesians 6:10 KJV
Heather, Sedalia, Alberta
“A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.” Proverbs 29:11, NIV
If you forgive people of their wrong doing your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. Matthew 6:14
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
Galatians 6:1 NIV
Debbie Portland, OR
I will sing of your love and justice; to you O lord, I will sing praise. Psalm 101
Marta
Southlake, TX
July 15
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
Psalm 28:7 NIV
August 1
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,
Hebrews 12:2a NIV
Vicki, Corpus Christi, Texas
Psalm 73:25-26 (NIV) Whom have I in Heaven but You?
and there is none upon Earth that I desire besides You.
My flesh and heart fail; but God is the strength
of my heart and my portion.